Recent Updates

Several city staff members participated in iCan
Bike which uses adapted bicycles, a specialized instructional program, and
trained staff to enable individuals with disabilities to learn to ride a
two-wheel bicycle. Participants attended a 75 minute session each day for five
consecutive days where they learn to ride while accompanied and encouraged by
volunteer “spotters”. Over the course of the week, staff continually adjust the
bikes in an effort to challenge riders appropriately as they gradually discover
the skill and joy of riding.

Remember to download the SeeClickFix app! For May we had 429 issues opened, 276 closed, and 77 new application downloads.

In an effort to keep the public informed and to
promote the City’s Open Data, we have begun featuring a “Monthly Measure” in
which we highlight a measure of the City at the beginning of each month. For
June, we are promoting Public
Meetings.

Tigers Moving to Nashville

Three Sumatran tigers born at the Topeka Zoo will be leaving Topeka for their new home.

This transfer is the second step in a three step process recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Program. The first step occurred this past April when the father of the three cubs was transferred to the Miller Park Zoo. The final step will occur when a new male tiger arrives at the Topeka Zoo later this summer. "It's all about healthy genetic diversity," said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. "This species is in trouble in the wild. We need to ensure we are managing the population under human care in a way that there will be genetically healthy tigers to return back to the wild if we can stabilize the problems they are facing in their range territories."

Not only does the Zoo support tiger conservation through its breeding program, it also supports it on the ground in Sumatra. Patrons of Blind Tiger Brewery and of the Zoo donate a quarter at a time to help support a ranger on the ground in Sumatra to fight poaching and illegal farming that is detrimental to Sumatran tigers. Actual tiger snares collected by the ranger are on display at the Zoo's tiger exhibit.

Sumatran tigers are the smallest of the tiger subspecies. Raza, Shanti and Chlojo weigh just under 200 pounds each. It is estimated that there are only about 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. The wild population has decreased by half in just the last 25 years and is listed as critically endangered.

The three tigers will depart Topeka either Monday or Tuesday next week. They will have a brief stay at the Knoxville Zoo while the Nashville Zoo completes the tigers' new exhibit. "If anyone wants to say good bye, we suggest they do it no later than Sunday," said Wiley.

The three cubs named Raza, Shanti, and ChloJo were born on May 4, 2014 to mother Jingga and father Rojo.

Coming up

We have one more scheduled budget discussion set
for Wednesday, June 14th at 6:00 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Center.

The next Coffee with a Cop is scheduled for June 14th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the McDonald's at 29th and California.